HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 70, 19 September 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Massey gave notice to move in committee ou the Tariff Bill tbat the duty on boots, shoes, etc., be reduced from twenty-five to twenty per cent. Capt. Russell said the term of appointment of the present A?ent-General of the colony in London was about to expire, and he would like to know from Government whether the present occupant of the office was to be reappointed, or whether a new appointment was to be made. Hon. Mr Seddon said owing to pressure of other business this trivial matter had been overlooked, but he wouldconsider it and let the hon. gentleman know the result in a few days. On the motion of the Premier, the Pharmacy Bill and Debts Recovery Limitation Bill were discharged from the order paper. Mr Ward then moved the second reading of the Customs and Excise Duties Bill. He said that strong representations had been made to Government by fruit growers from Auckland to Invercargill for a duty on imported fruit, but on the other hand strong counter representations were made, and as the feeling of the House was evidently against the proposed duty Government had withdrawn the duty from Island fruit, aud put au extra penny per pound on tea to make the necessary adjustment in the revenue. He proposed in Committee to levy a duty of ten per cent on all prints under fourpence per yard, as he wished to make this duty as light as possible for poor people who largely used these prints. One of the most difficult items to deal with satisfactorily was the boot and shoe duty. It would be very easy to arrange a fair duty on these articles, were it not for the extraordinary competition that existed in all parts oi the colony. Referring to proI prietary medicines he said a large quantity of quack medicine was imported into the Colony under this head, hence the duty. They were told they shonld increase the duty on colonial beer, but owing to the great uncertainty that existed as to the future of this industry Government did not feel justified in doing that. Besides as far as the revenue was concerned colonial beer was a diminishing quantity, and it would be very unwise on the part of any Government to put an increased duty on any article that already showed signs of diminishing. If prohibition were carried iv the colony it wonld be the duty of everyone to consider in what other direction the loss of revenue that would result could be made up. He trusted the House would recognise tbat in no re-' spect wa3 this a party matter, and tiiat overy possible attempt should be made to improve the Bill but not to disorganise the revenue of the colony in any way. Captain Russell said the -whole conduct of Government in connection with the Tariff Bill was most remarkable, and the Treasurer's speech showed that Government were in absolute ignorance of the subject. He (Russell) had been vainly endeavoring to ascertain what principle of policy actuated the Treasurer in framing this tariff, bnt all he could gather was tbat Mr Ward had been actuated by good intentions. The Treasurer had told them he had had great difficulty in reconciling the interests of manufacturers and importers,: which proved that he was onfy considering the interests of the capitalist class and neglecting altogether the in* terests of workers. He was sorely tempted to move the resolutions traversing the tariff proposals that he had given notice of earlier in the session, bat he thonght the interests of the pabiio would be better served if he refrained from doing so, so that Goverement supporters would not have to vote against theie conscience. The Hon Mr Seddon said Capt. Boa* sell's speech was the most mediocre he had ever heard from the Leader of the Opposition. The truth was Capt. Bossell was afraid to risk a thrashing over his amendment. After referring to Capt. Russell's attitude oyer tbe tariff brought down by Sir Harry Atkinson in 1888, be said the member for Hawke's Bay de* hounced that tariff mach more vehemently than the present proposals, and they found him not long after sitting on the Treasury Benches with tbe leader whose tariff he bad so opposed. Capt. Russell advocated a free trade policy, which wonld seriously disarrange the finances of the country, and he asked Whether the Leader of the Opposition would consent tp having the revenue made up by direct taxation or a single tax on land. Government were endeavoring to frame a tariff that wonld last for some years, and at the same time maintain a strong finance. In reply to Capt. Russell, Mr Ward said the difference between the present tariff proposals and the former ones was on a fair estimate a gain to the revenue of £4000. *■ Mr Thos. Mackenzie said the gain would be more like £20,000. He defended supporters of the late Atkinson Government from the aspersions cast on tbem by Mr Seddon respecting the tariff of 1888. Messrs Bell and Wilson strongly resented the remarks of the Premier in regard to Sir Harry Atkinson's supporters in the tariff of 1888. Mr Millar combatted the Treasurer's assertion that there was a decrease in the revenue from colonial beer, and said when the Bill was in committee he would use every means in his power to compel Government to face this question of increased duty on colonial beer. Mr G. W. Russell moved as an amendment that the second reading of th'^ Bill be postponed till next day as an indication that the excise duty on colonial beer be raised by three halfpence per gallon. The Speaker ruled the amendment ont of order as a private member could not interpose to levy a duty on beer. After farther debate on the second reading of the Castoms and Excise Deities Bill, Mr Hone Heke moved an amendment that the alterations made ii} the Bill are unsatisfactory, The anu endment was lost by 36 to 6. The second reading was carried on the voices. The Honse rose at 12.50 a.m.